Modern Corvettes
Modern navies began a trend in the late 20th and early 21st century towards smaller, more maneuverable surface capability. Corvettes have a displacement between 540 and 2,750 long tons (550 and 2,790 t) and measure 180–330 feet (55–100 m) in length. They are usually armed with medium- and small-caliber guns, surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-submarine weapons. Many can accommodate a small or medium anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
Most countries with coastlines can build corvette size ships, either as part of their commercial shipbuilding activities or in purpose built yards, however the sensors, weapons and other systems required for a surface combatant are more specialized and are around sixty percent of the total cost. These components are purchased on the international market.
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